RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Daniel Dias likes being mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Phelps.
Some Paralympians may feel diminished — even offended — by using an Olympian as a reference to help illustrate their excellence.
Not Dias.
“If people keep comparing me with Michael Phelps, I will be even more honored,” said the 28-year-old Brazilian. “That will show that I left some legacy for Paralympic swimming.”
Phelps won 23 gold medals and 28 medals overall, making him the most decorated Olympian in history.
Dias, likewise, is about to shatter records and approach Phelps’ numbers.